Tripura’s farming communities are counting the costs of a torrential three-day rain spell that has crippled agriculture across the state. From April 27 to 29, unprecedented rainfall averaging 133.9 mm statewide unleashed widespread destruction, affecting over 33,000 farmers and causing an estimated ₹59.17 crore in crop losses, as revealed by Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Saturday.
The downpours peaked dramatically in certain pockets: Kamalpur in Dhalai district recorded a whopping 283 mm, Bishramganj in Sipahijala notched 278 mm, and Khowai district saw 230 mm. These figures underscore the intensity of the weather event that spared no district.
Surveys indicate 6,105 hectares out of 58,540 under cultivation have been impacted, leading to 21,635 metric tons of produce wiped out. South Tripura suffered the most, losing 10,470 metric tons, while Khowai reported the least at 463 metric tons across eight affected districts.
Swift governmental intervention is underway. Disaster management protocols feature nodal officers at multiple administrative tiers and deployed Quick Response Teams. Geo-tagging is being used for precise damage evaluation, with urgent focus on dewatering paddy and vegetable plots.
To aid recovery, farmers are counseled to pivot to resilient crop cycles, incorporating legumes like arhar and lobia, oilseeds, corn, greens, and millets such as kangni and ragi, tailored to land viability. Minister Nath reiterated, ‘The prosperity of our farmers is intrinsically linked to Tripura’s progress.’
Meanwhile, IMD forecasts more heavy showers with thunderstorms and strong winds (40-50 kmph) in Unakoti, Dhalai, Khowai, North, and West Tripura over the coming week, signaling prolonged challenges for the agrarian economy.
